News from around the state of Florida
Featured image for “More Canadians are canceling their trips to Florda”
Canadian flag pins are on display at the Whiskeyjack Boutique gift shop in Windsor, Ontario, on March 4, 2025. | Mike Householder, AP
11 hours ago

More Canadians are canceling their trips to Florda

Florida’s tourism industry is suffering as Canadians react to the policies of President Donald Trump.…

Featured image for “Budget differences will push Legislature into overtime”
April 25, 2025

Budget differences will push Legislature into overtime

Lawmakers will not finish a state budget in time to end the legislative session as scheduled next week.…

Featured image for “House votes to ease financial strain on condo owners”
Rep. Vicki Lopez, R-Miami, is spearheading efforts to change condominium laws. | Colin Hackley, News Service of Florida file
April 24, 2025

House votes to ease financial strain on condo owners

Lawmakers are trying to refine condo-safety laws enacted after the building collapse in Surfside.…

Featured image for “DeSantis defends Hope Florida in St. Augustine appearance”
Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Anchor Faith Church in St. Augustine promoting Hope Florida, a state initiative First Lady Casey DeSantis started. | Noah Hertz, Jacksonville Today
April 24, 2025

DeSantis defends Hope Florida in St. Augustine appearance

Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis touted the program despite questions about its finances.…

Featured image for “Florida Senate unlikely to vote on lower gun-buying age”
April 22, 2025

Florida Senate unlikely to vote on lower gun-buying age

Senate Rules Chairwoman Kathleen Passidomo said her committee won’t take up the gun measure.…

Featured image for “FHP arrests US citizen on immigration charge”
Juan Carlos Lopez Gomez, 20, a U.S. citizen, hugs his mother in Tallahassee after his release from jail on Thursday, April 17, 2025. | Thomas Kennedy via AP
April 18, 2025

FHP arrests US citizen on immigration charge

Juan Carlos Lopez Gomez was arrested just over the Georgia border and was held despite having a birth certificate.…

Featured image for “FSU students gather at vigils the day after shooting”
Students gather on a stretch of sidewalk near the center of the Florida State campus in sight of the Student Union building in Tallahassee on Friday, April 18, 2025. | Gary McCullough, AP
April 18, 2025

FSU students gather at vigils the day after shooting

Some FSU studentsreturned to retrieve their belongings less than a day after they had barricaded classroom doors.…

Featured image for “House passes bill to protect parks from development”
Protesters chant against Gov. Ron DeSantis' plan to develop state parks with business ventures such as golf courses, pickleball courts and large hotels during a demonstration at Oleta River State Park on Aug. 27, 2024, in North Miami Beach. | Wilfredo Lee
April 17, 2025

House passes bill to protect parks from development

The legislation would prevent development such as golf courses, lodges and pickleball courts at Florida state parks.…

Featured image for “Florida lawmakers aim to make child care less expensive”
A child care bill in the Florida Legislature would reduce the amount of time the Department of Children and Families has to spend on background screening. | dusan petkovic, stock.adobe.com
April 16, 2025

Florida lawmakers aim to make child care less expensive

A bill in the Florida Legislature would streamline inspections for child care providers.…

Featured image for “Fewer people are traveling out of state for abortions”
Abortion-rights activists rally outside the Supreme Court in Washington on April 2, 2025. | Jose Luis Magana, AP
April 16, 2025

Fewer people are traveling out of state for abortions

The number of people coming to Florida for abortions dropped dramatically from 2023 to 2024.…

Featured image for “Judge faults state in manatee deaths and calls for protections”
A judge in Orlando called for more protections for manatees.
April 14, 2025

Judge faults state in manatee deaths and calls for protections

The judge said the state has violated the federal Endangered Species Act by failing to regulate wastewaster discharges properly.…

Featured image for “Florida House seeks records on state agency spending”
House Health Care Budget Chairman Alex Andrade is seeking information about Hope Florida. | Florida House, News Service of Florida
April 14, 2025

Florida House seeks records on state agency spending

The GOP-led House is seeking a broard array of documents regarding spending by the DeSantis administration.…

Featured image for “Senate president unveils compromise on tax relief”
Senate President Ben Albritton announced his chamber will release a compromise package that includes adding clothes and shoes under $75 to the list of products exempted from sales tax. Various sales tax holidays would continue, and a study would determine the effects of eliminating property taxes. | © Vedran Vukoja AKA vepar5 vedran.vukoja@gmail.com/vepar5, stock.adobe.com
April 11, 2025

Senate president unveils compromise on tax relief

The compromise would make some clothes and shoes tax-free and would study whether to eliminate property taxes.…

Featured image for “Legislature integrates Gulf of America into schools and laws”
April 10, 2025

Legislature integrates Gulf of America into schools and laws

Here’s how your legislators voted on two Gulf of America bills.…

Featured image for “School districts beg Florida lawmakers not to slash bonuses for accelerated students”
April 9, 2025

School districts beg Florida lawmakers not to slash bonuses for accelerated students

Florida’s education funding could cost local districts millions if incentives for accelerated programs are reduced.…

Featured image for “Universities face sweeping audits under Florida DOGE”
The James D. Westcott Building is on the campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee. | Lauren Witte, Fresh Take Florida
April 9, 2025

Universities face sweeping audits under Florida DOGE

The state DOGE has demanded that universities turn over a vast set of documents regarding staffing, research and grants.…

Featured image for “Cooler weather is coming; will it be our last cold front?”
April 7, 2025

Cooler weather is coming; will it be our last cold front?

As April progresses, cold fronts will become more scarce and we will slowly say goodbye to Florida’s dry season.…

Featured image for “Hurricane season could be busier than usual (again)”
April 3, 2025

Hurricane season could be busier than usual (again)

Colorado State University is foreasting 17 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes.…

Featured image for “Beryl, Helene and Milton retired as hurricane names”
April 3, 2025

Beryl, Helene and Milton retired as hurricane names

A hurricane name is retired after the storm causes many deaths or significant damage.…

Featured image for “Hemp proposal would regulate THC beverages in Florida”
Tinley Beverage Co. makes Tinley's Tonics, which contain a miro-dose of THC. | Business Wire
April 1, 2025

Hemp proposal would regulate THC beverages in Florida

A bill in the state Senate would require retailers to have liquor licenses to sell THC-infused beverages.…

Featured image for “DeSantis proposes $1,000 tax rebates for homeowners”
Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at VyStar Credit Union in Jacksonville on May 2, 2024. | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
March 31, 2025

DeSantis proposes $1,000 tax rebates for homeowners

Gov. Ron DeSantis said property tax rebates could be issued in December if the Legislature acts now.…

Featured image for “Senate backs off on starting school day later”
March 27, 2025

Senate backs off on starting school day later

The Senate voted to undo a law passed in 2023 and let districts decide on their own when to start…

Featured image for “House passes reforms on medical malpractice suits”
Photo by WLRN
March 27, 2025

House passes reforms on medical malpractice suits

See how your legislators voted on the malpractice bill.…

Featured image for “32 years ago: The ‘No Name Storm’ hit Florida”
March 26, 2025

32 years ago: The ‘No Name Storm’ hit Florida

The unusual March storm brought snow, tornadoes, storm surge and winds gusts of 90 mph.…